Winding machine



Dec. 15, 1964 L. PRESS 3,161,363

WINDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l 'lwllllIn'illIA.

IN VE N TOR r L UDW/G PRESS UM/m1 s. Sin f his ATTOANEY Dec. 15, 1964 PRESS 3,161,363

WINDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR L yaw/a PRESS flwhiel SIM/f" Dec. 15, 1964 1.. PRESS WINDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6, 1963 INVENTOR. LZ/DW/G 1 /9555 mmhael S. Sinker his ATTOENEX 3,161,363 WINDING MACHINE Ludwig Press, Eberstadt, Germany, assignor to Press d; Co. Masehinenfahrik, Darmstadt-Eberstadt, Germany Filed Feb. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 256,724

12 Claims. (ill. 242-56) The present invention relates to winding machines in general, and more particularly to a machine which is utilized for transforming an elongated strip, tape or sheet of paper, foil or similar flexible material into convoluted rolls. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a winding or convoluting machine which is capable of automatically transforming a tape or strip of practically infinite length into a series of rolls each of which may contain a predetermined number of convolutions.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a fully automatic winding machine wherein the forma tion of a new roll is started without manual assistance as soon as the formation of the preceding roll is completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding machine of the just outlined characteristics which may be readily and rapidly converted to form rolls of different diameters and/or to shift from winding a comparatively wide strip to winding of a narrower strip or vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic control system to regulate the operation of a winding machine which embodies the above outlined features.

An additional object of the invention is to provide in. an automatic winding machine a retaining or holding device which is capable of automatically applying and holding the tape against a new core when the formation of a roll is completed and when such completed roll is severed from the tape.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a novel method of severing a newly convoluted roll from a continuously delivered tape.

A further object of the invention is to provide a winding or convoluting machine which need not be arrested when it completes a roll, and wherein the formation of a new roll begins simultaneously with completion of the preceding roll so that the output of such machine exceeds considerably the output of all conventional winding machines of which I have knowledge at this time.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a winding machine wherein the material which is to be convoluted is not wasted when the machine completes a roll and begins or is about to wind a new roll.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a winding machine of the above outlined characteristics which is equally useful for winding strips of paper, textile or similar flexible material onto simple rod-like cores or onto hollow tubes which may be fitted onto rods to facilitate handling of rolls, particularly if the rolls are bulky and of considerable weight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding machine which is capable of automatically discharging consecutively convoluted rolls, of automatically receiving empty cores for such rolls, and of automatically separating each newly finished roll from the tape.

With the above objects in view, one feature of the invention resides in the provisions of a machine for winding a flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convoluted rolls. The machine comprises a spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending preferably equidistant slots ararnged in such a way that each slot of one of the disks is aligned with a slot of the other disk, a plurality of preferably equidistant rollers which are disposed between the disks and whose axes are disposed on the periphery of a circle which is concentric with the spool so that each slot is flanked by United States Patent 3,161,363 Patented Dec. 15, 1964 two winding rollers, means for driving the rollers in the same direction about their respective axes, means for delivering the strip between the disks so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by the winding rollers, feeding means for introducing cores into consecutive aligned slots so that each core enters the respective slots and maintains the strip in contact with the adjacent winding rollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute the strip onto the core, and indexing means for intermittently turning the spool to move a new pair of aligned slots into registry with the feeding means.

The machine may be equipped with special cutting means, or the inclination of slots which are adjacent to the feeding means may be such that the cores strike against and automatically sever the tape from the newly formed roll.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic transverse vertical section through a winding machine which embodies one form of my invention and wherein the strip or sheet material to be convoluted is severed by a cutting device, the section of FIG. 1 being taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2, as seen in the direction of arrows;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the winding machine as seen in the direction of arrows from the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a diagrammatic view of a control system which regulates the operation of the winding machine;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a slightly modified winding machine which is arranged to convolute a strip or tape around a different core and wherein the leading edge portion of the strip is compelled to adhere to a newly introduced core by one or more blasts of compressed fluid;

FiG. 3a is an enlarged end elevational view of the cutting station of the machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3b is a fragmentary front elevational view of the cutting device for the machine of FIGS. 3 and 3a;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary tranverse vertical section through a further winding machine which is without a cutting device and wherein the tape is severed by a newly introduced core; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means for intermittently feeding cores to the machine of FIG. 4.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a winding machine for paper, foil or similar sheet material. This machine comprises six equidistant winding rollers 4 whose axes are disposed on the periphery of a circle and whose shafts are mounted in a pair of spaced disks 3. The hubs of the disks 3 are mounted on a shaft 2 which forms part of an indexing means for intermittently turning the winding rollers about the axis of the shaft 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the disks 3 and the shaft 2 together constitute a spool or reel which is turnable in bearing brackets 1 forming part of the frame or support for the winding machine. Each roller shaft extends outwardly and beyond one of the disks 3 (i.e., beyond the right-hand disk, as viewed in FIG. 2), and carries a planet gear 6. These gears form a cluster around and mate with a center gear or sun wheel 7 whose hub extends through the respective bracket 1 and carries a pulley 5 forming part of the means for driving the rollers 4 about their respective axes. As shown, the gears 6, 7 together constitute a planetary transmission which drives all of the rollers in the same direction and-which is effective regardless of'whether-the disks? are arrested or whether these disks travel about the axis of the shaft 2. This shaft is rotatably received in the hub of the sun wheel 7 so that the sun wheel may rotate with respect to the shaft 2 or vice versa. Thein dexing means for intermittently advancing the disks 3 about the'axis of the shaft 2 further comprises a driver gearf14 which is fixed tothe left-hand end portion-of the shaft, as Viewed in FIG; 2;andwhich maybe driven at predetermined intervals, for example, by an electric motor through asuitable transmission, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

. Thefflexible sheet materialto be woundteg, a con .tinuous paper strip isdeliveredfr'om a suitable source andpasses. around a deflecting roller- 11 which fform's the brackets :1, and the strip is thereupon trainedaround the .winding rollers 4 in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 1'. Thus, the strip is automatically advanced by these rollers because the rollers are assumed to spin in a clockwisedirection. The leading edge of the strip 16 is secured to an elongated core suchas a rod aor to a tube or sheet9b (see FIG; 3) which receives 'ajrod 9a; In other words, the"coreof a roll may assume the form' of, a rod 9a or the core may be a composite structure includingxa tube or shell 9b and a rod 9a which latter is bounded by two slots; Of course, and as shown FIG. 3,'the depth of the'slot's 8 may be less if the strip 10 is convoluted onto a tube or shell 9b Whosediameter exceeds the diameter of therespective rod 9a.

- more such 'mountingof the core 9a o'r 9a, 9b'insures part of the feeding means and which is mounted between telescoped into the tube. If the machine is used to' wind paper strips onto tubes, the length of such tubesis somewhat less than thedi'stance between the disks 3, Whereas the length of the'rod 9a always exceeds such distance to make sure that'the end portionsor tips of the rods 93:: will fit into radially inwardly extending aligned slots 8 which are provided'in' the peripheral portions. of the disks 3 a11d extend toward but short of'the shaft 2.

That'rod fi'a onto' which thestrip 10 is' being wound is located in the upwardly extending slots 8. It should be noted that each such slot is bounded by two winding rollers14 and that the depth of each slot is sufiicient to insure that the leading edgeportionof the strip 10 is in'contact with and'floats'on the adjacent winding rollers when the end-portions of th'erespectiverod 9a arereceived in such aligned-slots. .Consequently'; the revolving winding rollers 4 compel the convoluted strip portion to revolve in response to contactof its outermost convolution with the peripheries of the adjacent winding rollers whereby the 5 diameter of theroll continues to increasewith simultaneous movement of the'rod 9a upwardly and away from the shaft 2-.until the rod has stored a desired length of strip material thereon. Thus; once the leading edge portion of thejstripiisz caused to adhere to or is otherwise connected withthatrod 9a which is received in the upwardly extendingpairof aligned slots 8, the winding operation is j carried out in a fully automatic way as long as thetrans- 7 response to rotation of the pulley 5, and-as long as the the spacebetween the disks 3.

severs the stripwhen' the diameter ofthe roll 13A reaches a desired I magnitude. For example; and as shown in FIG." 1, the means for actuating the cutting device 12 may comprisea sensing device 15 which is adjacent to i the roll 1 3a and which sends an appropriate impulse as that the peripheral speed of the roll 13A remains constant irrespective of thefa-ct that the' diameter' of this roll. continues to increase, and the convoluting operation continues" as long as the cutting device '12 remains inactive, to wit: as long as the sensing device 15 is out of contact with or is not actuated by the outermost convolution of the roll 13A j The arrangement'issuch that a new rod 9a drops into the next pair of aligned slots. 8' just before or shortly before the cutting devicell becomes operative so that the rod 9a may actually rest on the tensioned' strip 10 immediately in front of ther'oll13A and may be auto- 1 matically attached to the leading edge portion of the stripiat the time or immediately after the cutting device separates the newly completed roll 13a fromthe strip 10. This newly completed roll is'shown in broken lines. For

example, the cores'may be coated with an adhesive substance to insurethat they will adhere tothe stripand will cause the strip to form convolutions thereabout as soon as the core 9a moves to the innermost Zones of the slots 8' so as to move the strip 10 into contact with the adjacent winding rollers.

The means for feeding cores into consecutive pairs of aligned slots 8, 3,f8" etc. comprises an upright chute 19a which contains. asupply of rods 9a,'horizontal or inclined supporting rails 19 whose front ends are adjacent to the open ends of the slots 8', and a reciprocable'transfer member here shown as a plunger orram 20 which is actuatedin synchronism with the cutting device 12 and which may receive impulses from the sensing element 15. This sensing element'maysend impulses to the indexing mechanism which advances the disks 3 in stepwise fashion so that anew rod 9a drops'intofthe adjacent pair of slots 8' just before the/gear 14 causesv the disks 3 to perform an angular movement through a distance equal to the spacing between a pair of adjacent slots in a disk 3. When'thc disks rotate, the newly completed roll 13:: is deposited onto a pair of preferably inclined guideways 17 (only one shown in FIG. 1) whose spacing is such that a they may support thecnd portions o f'the rod 9a whereby mission .6, 7 continues to drive the winding rollers. 4 in x deflecting roller. 11 continues to feed strip material into soon as the rod 9a collects a requisite number of convolutions, to wit: as soon as the diameter of the roll 13A reaches'the desired magnitude. The manner in which the sensing dcvice 15 may send impulses through a schematically. indicated operative connection 16 will be described in connection with FIG. 2a. It will be noted that the number of slots 8' in each disk 3 equals the numberoi winding rollers 4 so that each slotis boui1d'edby two "rollers or that-each roller is the rod-slides or rolls along the top s-urfaces'of'the guideways 17 and descends into a collecting container or bin 18 whence it is removed manually. or by suitable gripping and transporting devices of any known design which form no part of this invention. In certain instances, the gu1deways17 may be horizontal or nearly horizontal and two workmen maybe stationed adjacent thereto to remove a newly completed roll 13 a from the winding machine. FIG. 1 shows a fully convoluted roll 13 having a core 9 which is stillsupported .by the guideways 17, and two rolls 13b, '1301 which are accommodated in the bin 18. It may be desirable to provide on theguideways 17 suitable lugs or the like which brake or which temporarily arrest the roll 13 before it can descend into the- -bin'18.@

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sensingdevice 15 is assumed to be a mechanical device so that the operative connection lfi'may take the-form of ,a Bowden wire or the like. However, it is equally possible to use a photosensitive device or a potentiometer which transmits electrical impulses .to a suitable amplifier, in order'to actuate the plunger 20 andithe cutting device 12 audio startjhe indexing device. Furthermore, one could utilize a pneumatic or hydraulic sensing device, particularly if the plunger 20 is reciprocated by a fluid medium. As stated hereinabove, the exact construction of the sensing device forms no part of this invention since such devices are commercially available products which can be delivered in any desired form or size and whose sensitivity may be adjusted to suit the needs of a specific winding machine.

FIG. 2a shows one form of a control system which can be used in the winding machine of FIGS. 1 and 2. This control system serves to regulate the plunger 20, the cutting device 12 and the indexing mechanism 2, 14 in a given sequence and in such a way that the machine will form consecutive rolls without any assistance by the operator or operators.

The sensing element assumes the form-of a switch 115 which is closed by the outermost convolution of a newly completed roll 13a and which thereupon completes the circuit of an electric motor 75. This motor then operates a transmission T which causes a cam disk '76 to complete one full revolution. The disk 76 is provided with a trip or lobe 77 which closes a switch 78 in the electric circuit of the plunger 20. The rod of this plunger constitutes the moving core of a solenoid '79 whose coil is energized when the lobe '77 closes the switch 78 so that the plunger performs a forward stroke and causes the foremost spare rod 9a to drop into the slots 8.

The lobe 77 thereupon closes a switch 88 in the electric circuit of the cutting device 12. This cutting deviw carries on its shaft a pinion 81 meshing with a rack 82 which constitutes the moving core of a solenoid 83 whose coil is energized when the lobe 77 closes the switch St) so that the rack 82 rotates the pinion 81 and causes the blade 12a of the cutting device to turn in an anticlock wise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2a, and to sever the tape 10 from the newly completed roll 13a.

In the next step, the rotating disk 76 moves its lobe 77 into engagement with a switch 84 which is installed in the electric circuit of the indexing mechanism. This mechanism comprises a rack 85 which constitutes the moving core of a solenoid 86 and which mates with a pinion 87. The pinion drives a one-way clutch 88 which transmits rotation to a counter gear 89 mating with the gear 14 on the shaft 2. When the lobe 77 closes the switch 84, the coil of thesolenoid 86 is energized and causes the rack 85 to rotate the pinion 87, the clutch 88 and the counter gear 89 in an anticlockwise direction, whereby the gear 14 causes the shaft 2 to turn the disks 3 through an angle necessary to move the slots 8' into a vertical position, i.e., these slots then take the place of slots 8, as viewed in FiG. 1. The disk 76 is arrested afterit completes a full revolution, and the circuit of the motor 75 is completed again when the winding machine completes the formation of the next roll. The deenergized coils of the solenoids 79, 83 and 86 retract their respective cores to the positions of FIG. 2; however, the gears 89, 14 cannot rotate with the pinion 87 when the latter rotates in a clockwise direction because the clutch 88 transmits only such rotation which causes the indexing mechanism to rotate the disks 3 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The operation of the control system shown in FIG. 2a may be changed by rearranging the switches 78, 80 and 84 in such a way that the switch 78 is located past the switches 80 and 84, as seen in the direction in which the lobe 77 rotates. Thus, a new core may rest in the slots 8 during the period of time necessary for winding of a new roll and such core subjects the strip to requisite tension.

- The winding machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 operates as follows:

It is assumed that the rollers 4 are driven in a clockwise direction and that the leading edge portion of the strip 10 is secured by a suitable adhesive to the core (here a rod 9a) which is accommodated in the upwardly extending slots 8. The outermost convolution of the roll 13A rests on the uppermost rollers 4 and the latter thus compel the roll 13A to revolve in an anticlockwise direction and to collect additional convolutions so that the roll 13A is ultimately transformed into a full-sized roll 13a whose rod 9a is now rather close to the open upper ends of the slots 8. The indexing mechanism (including the gear 14- and the shaft 2) is idle so that the disks 3 remain in the illustrated angular position. The plunger 29 is also idle and the foremost spare rod 9a is located above the discharge ends of the rails 19.

However, when the outermost convolution of the roll 13A reaches or comes sufliciently close to the sensing element 15 or 115, the latter sends an impulse first to the plunger 21 which performs a forward stroke and moves the rod 9a into the slots 8 so that the rod 9a comes to rest upon and actually floats on the tensioned strip 10 upstream of the cutting device 12. The periphery of the rod 90' is preferably coated with a suitable adhesive substance which causes it to adhere to the outer side of the strip 18.

The operative connection 16 or the. control system of PEG. 2a then transmits an impulse to the cutting device 12 which performs a cutting stroke and severs the outermost convolution of the completed roll 13%! from the remainder of the strip 10 so that the roll 13a now forms an independent unit and is transferred onto the guideways 17 as soon as the sensing element 15 or sends an impulse to the indexing mechanism which causes its gear 14 to perform an angular movement of such magnitude that the slots 8 move to the position occupied in FIG. 1 by the slots 8, whereby the leading edge portion of the strip 10 comes in contact with the winding rollers bounding the slots 8' and a new roll is formed on the rod 9a in the same Way as described above. The adhesive which the rod 9a applies to the "outer side of the strip 10' at the time it still floats on the strip (i.e., before the cutting device 12 severs the roll 13:: from the strip), may be used to automatically secure the outermost convolution of the roll 13a to the next-to-last convolution and to thereby insure that the roll 13a cannot be unwound at the time it rests on the guideways 17 or during further treatment.

The roll 13a is then caused to advance along the guideways 17 and into the bin 18 which latter may form part of a conveyor serving as a means to deliver the rolls onto a vehicle or into storage.

It will be seen that the operation of the winding machine is fully automatic and that, if desired, no manual labor is necessary to form, to transfer or to remove the rolls. It is self-evident that the sensing element 15 or 115 may be replaced by a timer mechanism which is adjusted in such a way that it operates the plunger 20, the cutting device 12 and the indexing mechanism at certain intervals such as are necessary to form rolls of desired diameter.

If the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 must be converted for winding of wider or narrower strips, the winding rollers 4 are replaced by longer or shorter winding rollers and the distance between the disks 3 is adjusted accordingly. For example, one of the brackets 1 (see the double-headed arrow 111) may be moved toward and away from the other bracket to change the axial length of the spool.

The machine of FIGS. 3 and 3a differentiates from the just described winding machine in that each core comprises a rod ha and a tube or shell 9b which is disposed around the rod and Whose diameter exceeds the width of the slots 8. After the cutting device 12 severs the strip 10, the core a, 9b descends to the broken-line position of FIG. 3 and moves the leading edge portion of the strip into engagement with the peripheral surfaces of two adjacent winding rollers 4. Since it is not always necessary or desirable that the core be coated with an adhesive substance, the winding machine of FIGS. 3 and 3a comprises a pneumatic holding or retaining arrangement which presses the leading edge portion of the strip against the tube 9b after th'e'cutting device; 12'has severed a newly completedroll from the strip. This pneumatic retaining arrangement includes a tubular header 12b which-is coni nected to a source of pressurefiuid, for example, to an .air compressor. ,The header 12b. carries, a series of.

nozzles 12c which direct jets of .c'ompressed fluidagainstaler nessv the angular distance between; a pair of adjacentslots. The

the inner side ofthe strip and force .it-to impinge, against the periphery of. the tube 9b. If desired, the;

conduit connecting the header 1215 with a source of corn.-

pressed fluid'may-comprise an adjustable valve which is actuated in response to impulses received. from the sens-- ing element of FIG. 1 or from the switch 115 so that i the nozzles 12c emitjets of compressed air as soon as'ior' even before the cutting device 12 severs a newlyconvoluted roll from. the strip 1 10.

As vshow'nin FIG. 3b, Kthecutting-deVice 12' may comprise an elongated carrier bar. or shaft .12 and av serrated blade 120 which is rockable by thebar 12 toward and .away from the strip 10; When the strip is under" tension, it is sufficiently close to the shaft 12 to be severed by the blade 12: in response to turning of the shaft 12.' in an anticlockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3 or 311. It is normally sufficient to rock the blade 12a through an angle of lessthan 90 degrees; j w

By way of example, the carrier shaft 12"may be held in the position of FIG. 3w by a suitable'torsion.

spring andthe operative connection 16 of FIG. 1 may actuate alever which is connected with the carrier shaft to turn the latter against the bias of such spring whenever the connection 16 receives anim-pulse from the sensing device 15.

strip 10. Y t

As soon as, the cutting device12 severs the strip, thetube 9b drops into the innermost end portions of the slots 8' and movesthe leading edge portion ,of the remaining strip into abutment with the peripheries of the revolving winding rollers 4 which immediately begin to wind the striponto the. tube even While. the disksS travels through a given angle to move the slots 8' into a, vertical plane.

' Of course, the retaining arrangement llb, 12c may be utilized as a safety device to insure that the leading edge portion of the strip 10 will adhere to an adhesive-coated core. Thus, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 30, it is possible If desired, the nozzles 120 may bev replaced byia singleelongated. nozzle or by an elongated orifice whose. length equals or. approaches the width of the tape 10 is trained. aroundthe winding rollers 4 and is be- :ing convoluted onto that core which is located in thepair 0f aligned vertical slots. ,zIn the. positionof the winding machine 'as shown in 1 16. 4, theformationiof the roll 13 'is' completed and this roll'is being advanced in a clockywise'direction, just before the foremost core 9a is engagedrby'the transfer member 21 whichcauses the right- .handend portion of this core (as-viewed in FIG. 5 to descend ofifi the respectiverai119 and to drop into the slot 8' of the right-hand disk 3; v

As shown, the transfer members 21, 21 1 may assume the form of'pivotable levers which are turnable about pins 22 secured to the respective disks 3 and which-are. formed with arcuate .slots23lfor threaded guide pins;24. Each transfer member may; .be fixed in a selected position of adjustment bya wing nut 25 or the like. As a rul e, I

' prefer to adjust the members 21, 21a in such away that one-thereof (i.e., the member 21a in FIG. 5) engages the foremost core 942' ahead of theother' member so that one 'end'portion of the core descends'intothe respective slot 98' ahead ofthev other end portion. The member 21 trails the member 21a and entrains the other end portion of the core 9a after the elapse of-a short interval of time. The advantage of, such; mounting of ther'nernbersll, 21a is that the lefthandend portion of the core 9a (asviewed in l 7 FIG. 5) drops onto the adjacentlateral or marginal zone of the tensioned strip 10 and tears or rips the strip whereby such tearing progresses and is terminated when'tlie other end portion of the core 9a drops-onto the strip. Thus, the descending core tears the strip transversely from the one towardltheother marginal zonethereof and the strip is severed fromthe roll 13 in good time to insure thattthe roll- 13 may be removed'from the respective pair of slots 8 simultaneously 'with adherence. of theleading edge portion of the remaining strip of the newly admitted core 9a. which then continues to travelwith the disks 3 to assume a position corresponding to that of the core 9a in FIG. 1, i.e., between the uppermost pair'- of cooperating winding rollers 4. Depending on the strength of the strip 10, the inclination of the core 912' during its descent into i the slots 8"may be variedas desired to insure that even to utilize tubes 9b whose peripheral surfaces are coated with layers of adhesive material and to, provide the header 12b for the purpose of insuring that the leading edge portion will adhere without fail to thetube Qb as soon as the blade 12w 'scvers the strip to separate a newly completed rollfrom-that portion 'of the strip which is located upstream of the cutting station. Theblade 12:: I

automatically returns to the positionof FIG. 3 or 3a as members is provided on the disks 3, adjacent to each pair soon .as the cutting operation is completed to insure that a the strip may bypass the cutting device without damage thereto, i.e., that'the teeth of the blade 120 will not sever the strip atthe time the stripis to be c'onv oluted to form' a new roll. vIt goes Without saying that a reciprocable blade may be used ,as' a substitute for the rockable blade of the cutting device 12. FIGS. 4 and.-5 illustrate a modified winding machine wherein the cutting device is omitted 'andwherein the cores automatically sever thestrip 10 from anewly con voluted roll. winding of comparatively thin and ready-to-tear strips.

The construction of the reel or spool'is the same as described in connection with FIGS VI and 2. However,

the plunger 20 is replaced by pairs of transfer members 21,2141 which are securedto the peripheral portions of the disks 3 adjacent to the open outer ends of the slots. 'The distance between the rails 19 is less than the distance between the disks 3 so that the cores 9a extend beyond the rails and that the foremost core 9a is in the path of the transfer members 21, 21a when the indexing mechanism causes the disks to turn through an angle which equals of aligned slots so that eac h pairof slots automatically receives a new core in response ,to intermittent angular movements of the reel.. The manner in which the cores are advanced along the. rails'19 will be readily understood without additional illustration. Fonexample, the rails 19 I may slope toward the disks3 and there may. be provided Such machinesare used with preference for e a stop rrieans which arrests the foremost core just in front of the disks. The transfer members 21, 21a .thereupon lift the foremost core 9a over such stop means and .cause it to drop into the slots 8.". ii

The control system. of the machine shownin FIGS." 4 and S isrmuch simplertha n the controlsystem of FIG. 1 or 2a. ThllS,-tl1e sensing device 15 or merely sends angimpulse-to the indexing mechanism which intermittently turns the disks 3, whereas the transferof anew core and the severing of the strip10 take placein a fully automatic wayin-response to turning of the disks,

An important advantage of mywinding machine is that it is capable of automatically starting the .formation'of a new roll as 'soonas the convoluting operation resulting in 'the formation of the preceding roll is completed. Thus,

no time is lost between twoconsecutive convoluting operations in contrast to certain conventional winding machines which are known to me at this time. In such conventional machines, the tape or strip must be arrested when the formation of a roll is completed and the machine remains at a standstill during insertion of a new core which follows removal of the newly completed roll. Thus, the total time lost by interruptions often equals or exceeds the periods of time during which the machine is in actual use.

Another important advantage of the machines which are shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 is that the peripheral speed of the roll is always the same which results in the formation of uniformly tensioned convolutions and eliminates excessive stresses upon the strip such as could cause the strip to tear and to necessitate undesirable interruptions in the winding operation. In addition, the feature that the peripheral speed of the roll is always the same is brought about with exceptionally simple means, i.e,, merely by having the roll rest or float on a pair of continuously revolving winding rolls in contrast to certain known machines wherein the core must be positively driven by a complicated transmission to insure that the peripheral speed of the roll which is being convoluted about and which grows on the core remains constant.

A further important advantages of the winding machine which embodies my invention is that the likelihood of spiralling of the tape is very remote. Thus, each newly formed convolution is applied all the way around the preceding convolution so that the end faces of the resulting roll are flat and that the marginal portions of all convolutions are in requisite overlapping position and in common planes. This is achieved by guiding the tape around the winding rolls and by utilizing the disks 3 which pre vent improper winding of the tape. As explained hereinabove, the distance between the disks 3 may be adjusted if the machine is to be converted for winding of different strip materials, i.e., of materials having different widths. Also, the disks may be replaced by sets of different disks with narrower or wider slots, depending on the dimensions of the cores.

I have found that the machine of my invention is useful for winding of all types of paper and similar flexible strip or sheet material, and that the rolls obtained in this machine may weigh several hundred pounds or one or more tons. Such large rolls are used in printing plants and in similar establishments wherein large quantities of paper are used on a continuous basis.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that other can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for winding a flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convoluted rolls, comprising a rotary spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending slots, each slot of one of said disks being aligned with a slot of the other disk; a plurality of spaced winding rollers mounted in said spool and extending between said disks, said rollers having axes disposed on the periphery of a circle which is concentric with said spool and each slot being located between a pair of such rollers; means for driving said rollers in the same direction about their respective axes; means for delivering the strip between said disks so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by said rollers; feeding means for introducing cores into consecutive aligned slots so that each core enters the respective slots and maintains the strip in contact with the adjacent rollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute the strip onto the core,

at least a portion of each of said cores having a diameter sufficiently smaller than the width of said slots so that said cores are freely rotatable in the respective aligned slots whereby each core floats on the respective pair of rollers and moves radially outwardly in response to winding of strip material therearound; and indexing means for intermittently turning the spool to move the next pair of aligned slots into registry with said feeding means.

2. A machine for winding a flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convoluted rolls, comprising a rotary spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending slots, each slot of one of said disks being aligned with a slot of the other disk; a plurality of spaced winding rollers mounted in said spool and extending between said disks, said rollers having axes disposed on the periphery of a circle which is concentric with said spool and each slot being located between a pair of such rollers; means for driving said rollers in the same direction about their respective axes, said driving means comprising a sun gear coaxial with and rotatable with respect to said spool, planet gears coaxially fixed to said rollers and mating with said sun gear, and means for rotating said sun gear at constant speed; means for delivering the strip between said disks so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by said rollers; feeding means for introducing cores into consecutive aligned slots so that each core enters the respective slots and maintains the strip in contact with the adjacent rollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute the strip onto the core, at least a portion of each of said cores having a diameter sufiiciently smaller than the Width of said slots so that said cores are freely rotatable in the respective aligned slots whereby each core floats on the respective pair of rollers and moves radially outwardly in response to winding of strip material therearound; and indexing means for intermittently turning the spool to move the next pair of aligned slots into registry with said feeding means.

3. A machine for winding 21 flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convoluted rolls, comprising a rotary spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending slots, each slot of one of said disks being aligned with a slot of the other disk; a plurality of spaced winding rollers mounted in said spool and extending between said disks, said rollers having axes disposed on the periphery of a circle which is concentric with said spool and each slot being located between a pair of such rollers; means for driving said rollers in the same direction about their respective axes; means for delivering the strip between said disks and for maintaining said strip taut so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by said rollers in taut condition along a path substantially transverse to and passing between at least one pair of said aligned slots; feeding means for introducing cores into consecutive aligned slots so that each core enters the respective slots with suflicient force to sever the strip passing between said aligned slots and thereafter maintains the leading end of the severed strip in contact with the adjacent rollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute the strip onto the core; and indexing means for intermittently turning the spool to move the next pair of aligned slots into registry with said feeding means.

4. A machine for winding a flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convoluted rolls, comprising a rotary spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending slots, each slot of one of said disks being aligned with a slot of the other disk; a plurality of spaced winding rollers mounted in said spool and extending between said disks, said rollers having axes disposed on the periphery of a circle which is concentric with said spool and each slot being located between a pair of such rollers; means for driving said rollers in the same direction about their respective axes; means for delivering the strip between said disks so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by said rollers; feeding means for introducing cores into consecutive aligned slots so that eachcore enters therespective slots and maintains the strip. in. contact .with the adjacentrollers whereby the strip and past-said feeding'means, as seen in; the direction in which said spool. is .turned by said indexing means, for

- severing.v the strip from a newly completed roll, said cutting meanscomprising an elongated bladewhich is parallel with the axes of said windingrollers and means for intermittently moving said blade against the strip; and

pneumaticretaining means for holding the severed strip againstanewlyintroduced core.

5. A machine as 'set forth in claim 4,'wherein said retaining means "comprises an elongated fluid-containing header disposed oppositesaid feeding means and having orifice ,means'through which fluid is discharged to hold, the strip against the core. e

6. A machinefor winding a flexible strip consisting'of a material having a comparatively. low tensile strength onto consecutive comparatively heavy cores to form con.-

newly" convoluted roll; and control means comprising a sensing element adjacent to that-core on which thestrip is being wound. and actuatable by the outermost convolution of a newly formed roll to send impulses. to said feeds ing means, to'saidcutting means, to said indexing means and to said retaining means for operating said feeding means, saidcutting means, said indexing means and said retaining means'in a", predetermined sequence .and for operating said retaining means in synchronismwith said cutting and. feedingm'eans; V

8. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said feed ing means comprises a source of cores, supporting means I onto'whichlsaid sourcedelivers cores, said supporting voluted rolls, comprising 'a rotary spool having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending slots, each slot of one of said disks being alignedwith a slot of; the other disk; a plurality of spaced winding rollers mountedin said spool and extending between said disks, said rollershaving axes disposed on the periphery of a circle which is, concentric with said spool and each slot being located between apair .of such rollers and extending radially inwardly beyond the outermost line which is tangent to the peripheries of the respective pair of rollers; means for driving said rollersv in the same direction about their respective axes; means for delivering the strip between said disks and for maintaining the strip taut so means having a discharge'end which isadjacent 'to a pair.

ofzempty slotstduring the. intervals between intermittent movements'of said spool,l"and a reciprocable transfer member'for advancing the foremost core on said supporting means beyondsaidzdischarge end in response to impulses'received from said sensing device.

9. A machine for winding a flexible strip onto consecutive cores to form convolutedrolls, comprisinga rotary spool arranged to turn in one direction and having a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending equidistantjslots, each slot of onefiof said disks being alignedwith a slot of the other disk and said spool being turnable about a horizontal axis andI-thenumberof slots in said disks being such that at least one pair of aligned slots is inclined downwardly toward the-axis of the spool iniall angular positions of the spool; a plurality of equidistant winding' rollers mounted'in said spool and extending between said disks, saidrollers having axes disposed on the periphery of a circle-whichis concentric with said that; the strip is trained around and. is advanced by'said rollers past. said-slots'in taut condition; gravity feeding means forintroducing cores into consecutive alignedrslots from a suflicient height so that each core enters the respective slots and strikes the strip material with sufiicient force to. sever it and to thereafter maintain the strip in contact with the'adjacentrollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute the striponto thecore; and indexing means for intermittentlyturning the spool to move the next pair of aligned sl'otsinto registry withsaid feeding means.

7.. A machine .for vwinding a flexible strip onto con secutive :cores to form. convoluted rolls,. comprising a rotary spool including a pair of spaced disks provided with radially inwardly extending equidistant slots, each slot of one of said disks being aligned with a slot of the other disk; a plurality of-equidistant winding rollers spool and each slot beinglocated between a pair of such rollers; means fordriving said rollers in the same directionabout their respective axes; means for delivering the strip betweeni saidjdisks so that the strip is trained around and is advanced by said rollers; core; feeding 7 means; transfer means comprising a-plurality of transfer member's secured; to said .disksand extending outwardly beyond the respective slots for automatically transferring cores from said feeding means into consecutive aligned slots which are inclined downwardly toward the axis of mounted in said spool and extendingbetween said disks,

disks so that the strip is trained around andis advanced by said rollers; feeding means for introducing coresintoconsecutive aligned slots so that each core enters the respective slots and maintainsthe'strip in contact' with the adjacent'rollers whereby the rollers automatically convolute thestrip onto the core to form a roll, said cores being freely rotatable in the respective aligned slots and 7 being arranged to moveradially outwardly in response to winding of strip material therearound; indexing means for intermittently turning the spool to move the next .pair of aligned slots into registry withsaidfeeding means; cutting means adjacent to the strip and located. past said feeding means, as seen in the direction in which saidspool is turned by said indexing means, for intermittently severing the strip from a newlycompletedrollgpneumatic retaining means for holding thestrip against a newly introcsd.so bssqu m t s e n o t s p fwmth the spool so that each core descends in the respective slots and automatically severs the strip from the newly completed roll by simultaneouslyholding'the stripin contact with'the adjacent rollers whereby the rollersautomatically .convolute thestrip onto the core, said transfer members being located past the respective slots, as seen in the direction of frotation of said spool; and indexing means for intermittently turningthe spool in said one direction to move a new pair of aligned slots into registry with said feedingmeans. p

10. A machine as set forth in claim 9, further comprising meansffor changing the position of said transfer members relative to at leastone of said disks so that one end portion of an elongated core may be caused to descend in'therespective pairjof aligned slots ahead of the other end portion thereof to severthe strip transversely. from the .on'eto the other marginal zone of the strip.

' 11. A machine .for'winding a flexible strip onto adhesive-coatedcores as set forthin claim 9', wherein such adhesive-coated cores automatically adhere to thegstrip which is severed froma newly completed roll.-

12. A method of'continuously winding a flexible strip of comparatively low tensile strength onto consecutive comparatively hea'vycores to form rolls having a predetermined number' of convolutions, comprising. the steps of advancing the strip in a predetermined path; moving a first coreinto contact with'the .outer side of thestripand holding the strip. against movement with-respect to the V coresothat the'strip is automaticallyconvolutedontothe c'oreand forms l'a series of convolutions therearound;

keeping the portion of the strip ahead; of the first core in taut conditiomlfeeding a second core by gravity onto the taut portionjof. thefstrip from .a heightsufiicientto sever.

the strip from the outermost convolution on the first core and moving the second core into contact with the outer side of the remainder of the strip by simultaneously holding the strip against movement with respect to the core so that the strip forms a series of convolutions around the second core; keeping the portion of the strip ahead of the second core in taut condition; feeding a third core by gravity onto the taut portion of the strip from a height sufiicient to sever the strip from the outermost convolution of the thus formed roll on the second core; and consecutively feeding additional cores onto and moving them into contact with the strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Liebeck 242-64 Aldrich 242-64 McCarthy et a1. 242-65 Schultz et a1. 24 2-56 Roesen 242-56 Jacobs 242-58.2 Grettve 242-56 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR WINDING A FLEXIBLE STRIP ONTO CONSECUTIVE CORES TO FORM CONVOLUTED ROLLS, COMPRISING A ROTARY SPOOL HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED DISKS PROVIDED WITH RADIALLY INWARDLY EXTENDING SLOTS, EACH SLOT OF ONE OF SAID DISKS BEING ALIGNED WITH A SLOT OF THE OTHER DISK; A PLURALITY OF SPACED WINDING ROLLERS MOUNTED IN SAID SPOOL AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID DISKS, SAID ROLLERS HAVING AXES DISPOSED ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE WHICH IS CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SPOOL AND EACH SLOT BEING LOCATED BETWEEN A PAIR OF SUCH ROLLERS; MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID ROLLERS IN THE SAME DIRECTION ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE AXES; MEANS FOR DELIVERING THE STRIP BETWEEN SAID DISKS SO THAT THE STRIP IS TRAINED AROUND AND IS ADVANCED BY SAID ROLLERS; FEEDING MEANS FOR INTRODUCING CORES INTO CONSECUTIVE ALIGNED SLOTS SO THAT EACH CORE ENTERS THE RESPECTIVE SLOTS AND MAINTAINS THE STRIP IN CONTACT WITH THE ADJACENT ROLLERS WHEREBY THE ROLLERS AUTOMATICALLY CONVOLUTE THE STRIP ONTO THE CORE, AT LEAST A PORTION OF EACH OF SAID CORES HAVING A DIAMETER SUFFICIENTLY SMALLER THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID SLOTS SO THAT SAID CORES ARE FREELY ROTATABLE IN THE RESPECTIVE ALIGNED SLOTS WHEREBY EACH CORE FLOATS ON THE RESPECTIVE PAIR OF ROLLERS AND MOVES RADIALLY OUTWARDLY IN RESPONSE TO WINDING OF STRIP MATERIAL THEREAROUND; AND INDEXING MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE SPOOL TO MOVE THE NEXT PAIR OF ALIGNED SLOTS INTO REGISTRY WITH SAID FEEDING MEANS. 